1st ODI: Labushen's half-century overshadowed Bavuma's century, Australia beat South Africa by 3 wickets

 

With the help of a half-century from Marnus Labuschagne, Australia defeated South Africa by 3 wickets in the first match of the 5-match ODI series. For South Africa, captain Temba Bavuma had played a century innings which went in vain. In this match played at Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein, Australian captain Mitchell Marsh won the toss and decided to bowl.  

Batting first, the South African team collapsed on the score of 222 in 49 overs. Captain Temba Bavuma scored the most runs for South Africa. He scored an unbeaten century of 114 runs in 142 balls with the help of 14 fours and one six. Apart from him, Marco Jansen faced 40 balls and played an innings of 32 runs with the help of 3 fours and a six. Bavuma and Jansen made an important partnership of 57 (68) runs. For Australia, Josh Hazlewood took the maximum 3 wickets and Marcus Stoinis took 2 wickets. Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Adam Zampa and Cameron Green got one wicket each. 

Chasing the target, the Australian team won the match in 40.2 overs losing 7 wickets and scoring 225 runs. Marnus Labushen scored the most runs for Australia. He played a half-century inning of 80 * runs in 93 balls with the help of 8 fours. Apart from him, Ashton Agar scored an unbeaten 48 off 69 balls with the help of 3 fours and a six. Labushen and Agar shared a century partnership of 112* (145) for the eighth wicket. At the same time, Travis Head contributed 33 runs in 28 balls with the help of 6 fours and a six. 

Gerald Coetzee and Kagiso Rabada got maximum 2-2 wickets from South Africa. Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi and Marco Jansen got one wicket each. Marnus Labuschagne came to the crease as Cameron Green's concussion. Green was injured by Rabada's bouncer. The ball hit him near his ear but he was not hurt much as he was wearing a helmet. After that he left the crease and did not come back. 

South Africa Playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Temba Bavuma (c), Rassie van der Dussen, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Marco Jansen, Gerald Coetzee, Keshav Maharaj, Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi. 

Australia Playing XI: David Warner, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh (c), Cameron Green, Josh Inglis, Alex Carey (wk), Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa.